Valve for nursing bottles



Nov. 17, 1936. v E. GEISTLINGER 2,061,397

VALVE FOR NURSING BOTTLES Filed Nov. 10, 1933 10 gg Z0 19 Z40; l; 3 16' 17 5 W 13 27 k Z8 1 Z6 Z1 Z3 15 31a Z5 Z1 15 Zia 19 INVENTOR Edward 6 665115119 BY ATTORN EY i Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFF-ICE 2,061,397 1 VALVE FOR NURSING BOTTLES Edward Geistlinger, Peekskill, N. Y. Application November 10, 1933, Serial No. 697,411

5 Claims.

This invention relates generally to nursing bottles and particularly to a venting valve device for nursing bottles.

The invention resides more particularly in the particular construction of the valve device whereby certain objections to the valves in the prior art are overcome. These objections will be later pointed out- I It iswell known that much of the difficulty of nursing children is caused by the high vacuum created due to the improper supply of air to replace-the withdrawn liquid. Valves have been provided to overcome this difliculty and in so doing other-problems are introduced which have not been solved up .to the present time.

These valve devices are usually placed near the bottom of the bottle. When the bottle is upright the liquid escapes thru these devices. If the device is provided with spring means to overcome this leak then the entral pressure difference is increased. That is, the pressure inside the bottle must be reduced by an amount equal to the sealing spring pressure before any air is admitted into the bottle. The nipples of nursing bottles being of soft rubber, may be caused to flatten, during the withdrawal of liquid and in overcoming this pressure difference.

The main object of the present invention is to improve the valve devices of bottles whereby the difiiculty of withdrawing liquid is eliminated and the tendency of the nipple to flatten is prevented. This invention further precludes the leaking of the device in the event of the bottle being used with the valve below the liquid level; or, when the bottle is in an upright position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve device of the character described havin the valve member anchored to the cap of the device to prevent displacement of the valve member, when'the device is disassembled, and at the same time, permitting the valve member freedom of movement in response to slightest pressure difference when in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described that functions as a vent only, when the device in use is above the liquid level; and when below the level of the liquid, functions as a vent during the entire suction impulse, to permit air to enter, and as a valve, to prevent the escape of liquid between suction impulses.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the invention is further disclosed in the following description read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

While the drawing illustrates one embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side view of a nursing bottle with the invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a. sectional view of the device, in closed or sealed position.

Figure 3 is a similar view but with the parts in operative position during a suction impulse.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modified form thereof.

Figure 5 is a further modification.

The reference character I designates a nursing bottle adapted to receive a nipple II. The form of'the bottle or nipple is not limited to that shown. Adapted to be secured to the bottle 10, preferably on the side and near the bottom thereof, is a vent-valve device l2. This device comprises a neck member 13 having a passage l4 therein; a thread l5, and a flange IS. A hole I] is provided in the bottle to receive this neck member l3, which is inserted from the inside of the bottle. A gasket I8 is provided on the neck member to lie between the flange l6 and the inner wall of the bottle. Another gasket I9 is adapted to fit around the neck member l3 and is arranged to lie adjacent the outer wall of the bottle.

A sleeve 20, having internal threads 2| adapted to engage the threads I5, is provided to effect a seal around the hole I! of the bottle. This sleeve is provided with a polygonal flange 2la for the application of a wrench or the like to compress the gaskets l8 and I9 between the flanges l6 and 2|a. The sleeve 20 is further provided with an external thread 22, to receive a cap 23.

The sleeve extends outwardly beyond the neck and provides a flat face 24, the purpose of which will be more fully described hereinafter. It is to be understood however, that the neck member I3 may extend beyond the sleeve member 20, to provide this flat face.

The cap 23 is provided with an internal thread 24a, adapted to fit, and snugly engage the thread 22 of the sleeve so as to be substantially leak proof. The cap is of cylindrical section having an end wall or closure 23a. In the end wall, an opening 25 is provided to receive a valve member 26. This valve member comprises a shank 21 adapted to fit loosely in the opening 25, and is further provided with an enlarged disc shaped head 28 on the inner-side of the end wall; and

' projection is bent an enlarged rivet head 20 is provided on the outer side of the end wall 23a. The length of the shank 21 is greater than the thickness of the end wall and the enlargements on either side of the end wall permits freedom of movement of the valve member in the cap between the limits of these enlargements.

The inner face 30 of the end wall is finished smooth, as well as the faces of the disc 28, to effect a double seal between the sleeve 20 and the cap 23 when the cap is screwed tightly to the sleeve, as shown in Fig. 2. The parts in this figure are in closed position and are ordinarily kept in this position, except during the nursing period.

The parts as seen in Fig. 3 are in open position, which is the proper position during the nursing period. Preferably, the cap is loosened about one-quarter of a turn to the left, which frees the valve member so that it may move freely during the nursing period. The bottle, when in use, may be in any of a number of positions, the valve may be below the liquid level or above. When the bottle is in use with the device above the liquid level, it acts as a vent, that is, the valve member remains substantially in the position shown in Fig. 3. The air enters between the shank 21 and the wall of the opening 2!. Suitable slots 3i may be provided and extend beyond the confines of the rivet to facilitate the entry of air. These slots may be made in the rivet end of the valve member if desired.

When the bottle is in use with the device below the liquid level, the valve member acts as a vent during the suction impulses and as a check valve between suction impulses, to prevent the escape of liquid thru the opening 25. It will be seen that with the construction of the device shown the valve member is responsive to the slight pressure differences between the inside and outside of the bottle, which construction prevents a partial vacuum being created within the bottle during the sucking impulse of the infant. The valve will open immediately upon withdrawal of liquid and will close against the face 30 due to the liquid head, immediately thereafter, due to its freedom of movement in the device.

When the bottle is not in use for a long period, as would occur when the bottles are prepared and placed in a refrigerator, for later consumption, leakage is prevented by the positive seal provided by the contact between the disc 28 and the annular face of small contacting area presented to this disc.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4, a compressible gasket 32 may be provided between the flange Zia and the annular face provided by the cap on the inner face of the cylindrical portion thereof. This gasket will prevent any leakage due to close fitting of the threads of the cap when the parts are in operative position.

Fig. 5 is a further modification showing the simplicity with which means may be provided to prevent the infant from tampering with the adjusted position of the cap. A washer shaped member 33 having a projection 34 is clamped between the flange 2la and the gasket I9. This and adapted to yieldably engage the knurled periphery of the cap.

It will be seen that the present valve is simple in construction and easy to manufacture. The valve is effective to prevent leakage during handling or storing of the bottled contents and also while the infant is nursing. The bottle may be placed in water to warm the contents, without .herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a threaded apertured member adapted to extend through an aperture in the wall of a bottle, said member having an outwardly extending flange adapted to engage the bottle adjacent the aperture therein, a second apertured member having a thread to mate with the thread on said first member and to secure said first member rigidly in the aperture of the bottle and having an external thread to mate with a closure, an apertured closure threaded to said second member, and a floating disc having a shank extending through the aperture in the closure to give a limited movement to the disc for opening and closing the aperture in said first apertured member.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of an exteriorly ti readed member having a duct extending therethr vugh, said member being adapted to extend thi augh an aperture in a bottle and having an integral flange thereon to engage the inside of the bottle about said aperture, an interiorly and exteriorly threaded collar attached to said threaded member adapted to be positioned about the aperture on the outside of the bottle to hold said member in position, a cap having screw threads on the interior of the flange thereof adapted to be screwed on said collar, said cap having an aperture in the cbver part thereof, and an imperforate disc held in position by said cap and adapted to act as a valve member to open and close said duct.

3. In a vent valve of the class described, the combination of a flanged member having a screw thread thereon adapted to extend through an aperture in a nursing bottle with said flange fitting about the aperture on the inside of the bottle, a threaded collar member threaded to the exterior of said tubular member for engaging the exterior of the bottle to hold the tubular member in place, a cap having a screw thread on the interior thereof threaded to the exterior of one of said members and having an aperture in the cover thereof, and a freely floating disc having an integral member movably mounted and permanently secured in said aperture, the cooperating screw threads on the cap and on the one of the said members providing for clamping said disc in closed position, said disc being adapted to act as a valve for closing the end of one of said members.

4. In a vent valve of the class described, the combination of a flanged tubular member having screw means thereon adapted to extend through an aperture in a nursing bottle with said flange fitting about the aperture on the inside of the bottle, a collar member on the exterior of the bottle having screw means thereon in engagement with the screw means on the tubular member to hold the tubular member in place, a cap having screw means on the interior thereof in engagement with the screw means on the exterior of one of said members, and having an aperture in the cover thereof and a freely floating disc having an integral member movabiy mounted and permanently secured in said aperture, the cooperating screw means on the cap and on one of the said members providing for clamping said disc in closed position, said disc being adapted to act a; a valve for closing the end of one of said members.

5. In a vent valve of the class described, the combination of an externally threaded flanged tubular member adapted to extend through an aperture in a nursing bottle with a flange on the interior of the bottle, an annular gasket fitting about said tubular member adjacent said aperture, an interiorly threaded collar member threaded about said tubular member tor engaging the exterior of the bottle to fix it in the aperture and to compress the said gasket about the aperture, an interiorly threaded closure cap adapted to be threaded on one of said members and having an aperture in the cover thereof, a freely floating disc having an integral member movably mounted and permanently secured in said aperture, the cooperating screw threads on the cap and on one of the said members providing for clamping said disc in closed position, said disc being adapted to act as a valve for closing the end 01 one of said members, and means attached to one of said members adapted to engage the closure cap to resist rotation thereof.

EDWARD GEIGm. 

